Made in one pot and in only 40 minutes, this Spanish chicken and rice skillet is jam-packed with juicy chicken legs and tons of spicy fluffy rice.—the secret is in the homemade spice rub!
Mondays were MADE for all that one-pot glory, guys. Nary a salad in sight to help you out with your post-Mother’s day brunch overload.
Mainly cause we’re doing a kick-butt salad on Wednesday and today we’re scheduled to do a kick-butt Spanish chicken and rice skillet. <<< you aren’t gonna hate this agenda.
All the dinner boxes are getting ticked today, y’all. There’s rice, there’s SPICE, there’s chicken, and there’s no dirty dishes in sight because ONE POT!
That’s what we call a very good Monday situation, btw.
Okay, Spanish chicken and rice prep is a GO. P.S. it’s like a 30-minute time commitment. We’ve so got this. >>
- First things first is the spice rub. It’s what adds all that signature Spanish rice flavor to this skillet. Just a simple mixture of cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Totally feel free to adjust the spice amount if you prefer your food a little less spicy. Just taste as you go.
- Rub half of the spice mixture over your chicken legs or drumsticks and then we’re gonna sear those little guys on both sides.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and saute up a bunch of onion/garlic goodness. Once everything is translucent, tomato paste goes in the pan, rice follows shortly, a little chicken broth, and bring everything to a simmer. Nestle the chicken back in the pan, reduce the heat and the brunt of your work is DONE! Cover that baby and let it cook itself for about 20-ish minutes.
- Once the chicken is done, the rice is fluffy, and most of the liquid is evaporated, squeeze a little lime juice over the whole thing, a little shower of cilantro, and it is probably skillet-diving time now. ???
This Spanish chicken and rice definitely packs a little punch-ya-in-the-face of spice, but again, TOTALLY feel free to adjust the spiciness to suit your tastes. Less spicy, more spicy, totally up to you!
Most importantly though…THIS IS DINNER TONIGHT!
One-Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 lb chicken legs or drumsticks (about 4 medium)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Divide spice mixture in half and rub half of it all over chicken legs. Set remaining half aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place spice-rubbed chicken legs in pan and sear 2-3 minutes on both sides until golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In same skillet, saute onion and garlic in drippings until translucent and fragrant. Reduce heat to medium and add tomato paste, rice and remaining spice mixture to pan and cook 2-3 minutes. Pour chicken broth into pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and nestle chicken back into pan. Cover pan and let spanish rice simmer 20-25 minutes or until rice is cooked and chicken registers 165F. Squeeze fresh lime juice over spanish rice and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
You’re so right, one pan meals were made for Mondays! This looks gorgeous, Sarah! I’m loving that spice rub and all of these yummy flavors. And in just 30 minutes? Sign me up!
marcie says
I love Spanish flavors and even more I love one pot meals! This is right up my alley and I can’t wait to see that kick-butt salad on Weds! 🙂
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
Mmm that homemade spice rub looks and sounds amazing! 🙂
Diane Hardy says
You mention tomato paste in your blog, but I don’t see it in the ingredients or instructions. Do you really need it?
Sarah says
Sorry for that typo, Diane! The correct amount is two tablespoons and I’ve added it into the recipe.
Lady T says
WOOOOOOOW now THIS is what they call, ‘FIRE’….and not even because it’s a lil spicy. This is amazing amazing a-MAZ-ing…ok i actually made it this morning, because I’m planning to meet a girlfriend after work to see a movie and I wanted something to be ready for the boys. Well I was actually going to just sear the chicken, wrap it up and then finish the recipe off when I got home a bit early before the movie, but I decided it was easy enough to finish – well, I think I may have had my dinner this MORNING. I could not keep from eating it. The smell, the BEAUTIFUL color and coating on this chicken with these spices – can’t say enough. The sprinkle of lime – oh these flavors do a world of good!
Sanjay Oza says
ONE-POT SPANISH CHICKEN AND RICE SKILLET looks amazing and delicious.
Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Keep it up the good work.
NANCY says
quick and simple recipe.
looks yummy, my kids wil love it.a must try
Eric says
perhaps more specifics on the type of rice?? ours was nowhere near done in the alotted time…. it took a solid 20 minutes MORE than the recipe asked for.
Stephanie says
This is super yummy and easy. I cooked some bell pepper with the onion and threw in some frozen corn also. Love the one skillet meals!
Christina says
This dish was hands down amazing! The rice was extremely flavorful and the chicken was nicely spiced but not too much! Cannot recommend this enough
Sarah says
Thank you so much Christina! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed. 🙂
Emmy says
timing is definitely off on the recipe, even if you prepped and started the recipe as described in instructions, you would not be able to make this dish in 30 mins. It probably took 45 total but it was so good!! I’m definitely going to be adding this into a regular meal schedule. not hard to put together in the evening after work.